January 12
JOHN 3
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
– John 3:1-8
JOHN 3 BORN OF THE SPIRIT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When God chose you to be one of his people
He gave you the ability to accept his calling
When you believe in the only begotten Son of God
You are filled with His Spirit and become born again
You no longer follow the cravings of your flesh
The Holy Spirit makes you want to give glory to Jesus.
In this account, we see that Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees who belong to the ruling class of the Jews is in the brink of deciding whether he will believe that Jesus is the Son of God or not. A part of him knew that unless Jesus was from God, he couldn’t do the signs that he did. Yet, a part of him wanted to understand how that is possible. To safeguard his reputation, he had to come in the night to see Jesus when no one could see him. He was afraid to lose his standing as one of those who are looked up to by many. In other words, he idolized his position more than he wanted to believe Jesus.
How many Christians will truly commit to Jesus and not hide their faith? When Jesus told him the requirement is to be born again, Nicodemus didn’t understand it.
REFLECTION
• How can you know that a believer is truly born again?
